Interest rates for the second quarter will drop, the IRS recently announced. According to Revenue Ruling 2026-5, the rates for April, May and June of 2026 will be: Overpayments -- 6% (down from 7%) Corporate overpayments -- 5% (down from…
News
A California carwash has agreed to a $1.2M settlement to resolve wage theft allegations, according to the California Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO). The seven-figure payout averages $52,174 per affected employee across 23 workers, with individual settlements ranging from $8,500 to…
The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a Federal Register notice, increasing the minimum wage for certain federal contractors. Here are the details contained in the February 9, 2026, notice. First, it’s important to clarify that the rate change applies to federal contracts…
A Little Caesars franchisee will pay $409,457 for federal wage and hour violations, the Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced. The case shows how payroll mistakes turn into expensive liabilities when overtime calculations and recordkeeping controls fall short. Payroll Mistakes…
Who’s an employee and who’s an independent contractor? When making that determination for wage and hour compliance, businesses may soon have fewer restrictions. That’s because the Department of Labor (DOL) recently released a proposed rule on classifying workers, and it’s…
In a single month, federal regulators proposed $831,545 in OSHA penalties connected to workplace fatalities across four states and multiple industries, including construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and industrial energy. Seven employers now face enforcement actions tied to incidents that resulted in…
The IRS summarized several tax provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in the 2026 version of Publication 15. Publication 15 is called the Employer’s Tax Guide -- or sometimes, Circular E. Of special interest to Payroll pros,…
Employers in states that have paid family and medical leave programs will be relieved to know the IRS has extended its reporting deadline. In fact, employers have an extra year to add information about this type of paid time off…
A Denver-area restaurant is paying nearly $62,000 after a DOL investigation uncovered tip retention and recordkeeping violations in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The case shows how a tip dispute can expand into broader wage-hour liability once…
The IRS has finalized the tax year 2026 Form W-2, solidifying more of the reporting requirements established by federal legislation passed last year. Plus, the final version of General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3 was released shortly after the…
EBSA FY 2025 Enforcement Snapshot $1.4B recovered for workers and plans 878 civil investigations closed 253 criminal investigations closed $512.5M restored to former employees Federal regulators recovered $1.4 billion for workers and benefit plans in FY 2025, according to a…
A $6.2 million California paid sick leave settlement is prompting a closer look at how paid sick leave notices, payroll practices, and labor costs connect. The agreement closes out claims tied to labor practices during the height of the pandemic,…
